Four Years After Lytton Fire, Heartache and Frustration Still Burn
It’s hard to believe it’s already been four years since the devastating wildfire tore through the village of Lytton, British Columbia. June 30, 2021, was the day everything changed for that tight-knit community. In a matter of minutes, Lytton was reduced to ash—two lives were lost, and hundreds were displaced. The blaze broke out just one day after the town recorded Canada’s all-time highest temperature, nearly 50 degrees Celsius. And now, here we are, four years later, and the scars still haven’t fully healed.
You’d think four years would be enough time to rebuild. But the truth is, progress has been painfully slow. Some homes are just now getting permits. Core buildings—like grocery stores, pharmacies, hotels—are still missing from the community. A temporary medical clinic and bank are operating outside the village limits, but that’s not a real solution. For many, it’s like living in limbo.
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Rebuilding hasn’t been just about bricks and mortar. It’s been tangled in red tape, archaeology assessments, and a frustrating lack of resources. Every time a crew digs into the ground, there’s a pause—what if artifacts are found? It’s important work, but it’s added long delays. Even the mayor, Denise O’Connor, recently expressed her deep frustration. In her words, there’s been "undue hardship" for the residents, and the town is still grappling with a shortage of approved archaeologists to oversee required work.
And just when you think things couldn’t be more emotionally charged, another wildfire sparked on June 30, 2025—exactly four years to the day after the original disaster. This new fire broke out on the west side of the Fraser River, near Lytton First Nation. In less than an hour, it grew from a spark to over two hectares. Talk about trauma on repeat. For the people of Lytton, that fire wasn’t just a natural event—it was a trigger, a painful reminder of what they lost and how little they’ve regained.
But despite the bureaucracy and the delays, there are moments of hope. Communities have rallied. Fundraisers—from kids with lemonade stands to charity hockey games—have poured in support. In 2023, the federal government finally stepped in with funding to help construct 20 new housing units. It’s something, but still far from what’s needed.
The RCMP concluded their investigation into the cause of the original blaze last year. They found no evidence it was deliberately set, which, while closing one chapter, leaves many residents without closure.
Ultimately, what the people of Lytton want isn’t just reconstruction. They want restoration—of homes, of dignity, of peace of mind. They’ve waited long enough. Let’s hope this latest fire doesn’t set back what little progress they’ve made. Because the people of Lytton deserve more than memories of a once-thriving village—they deserve a future.
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